As expected, Transmeta's new Crusoe processors are targeting portable applications with speeds up to 800 MHz. The new TM5500 and TM5800 processors are up to 50% faster and 20% lower in power consumption than the company's previous generation of central processing units (see June 13 story ).

The new CPUs represents Transmeta's first products based on 0.13-micron design rules. They will be manufactured on a foundry basis by TSMC, as part of the major deal between the two companies.

As reported by SBN, Transmeta will use TSMC--not IBM Microelectronics--as its sole foundry for its new 0.13-micron processor lines. Until recently, IBM had been the sole foundry for the Santa Clara startup (see June 21 story).

"Our relationship with TSMC is a key part of our strategy," said Mark K. Allen, president and chief executive of Transmeta. "Our confidence in TSMC has allowed Transmeta to convert 100% of production wafer starts to TSMC's 0.13 micron manufacturing lines," he added.

Another Taiwan-based company, ASE, will handle the critical IC-packaging and test services for Transmeta's new processor lines. The new chips will utilize ASE's leading flip-chip packaging and wafer-bumping technologies, according to Transmeta.

The new Crusoe TM5800 and TM5500 microprocessors consist of 512-KB of L2 cache and 256-KB of L2 cache, respectively. Both chips also integrate the 4.2 version of its of code-morphing software technology, which boosts battery life and power consumption. The chips also support synchronous DRAM and double date rate (DDR) SDRAM memories.

The Crusoe TM5800 and TM5500 microprocessors are now available. The TM5800--which is offered at speeds of 800 MHz--is priced at $198 in 1,000 quantities. The TM5800 is also offered at speeds of 700, 733, and 766 MHz.

The 1-GHz TM5800 is expected to be available in systems during the first half of 2002, but the company did not give prices or specifications for this chip. The TM5500 is available with 600-, 667- and 733-MHz speeds. The 667-MHz version sells for $85 each in 1,000 quantities.